Ginseng root extract-mediated synthesis of monodisperse silver nanoparticles as a fluorescent probe for the spectrofluorometric determination of nilvadipine; Evaluation of remarkable anti-bacterial, anti-fungal and in-vitro cytotoxic activities

Nanoparticles are a boon for humanity because of their improved functionality and unlimited potential applications. Considering this significance, the proposed study introduced a simple, fast and eco-friendly method for synthesis of fluorescent silver nanoparticles (Ag-NPs) using Panax Ginseng root extract as a reducing and capping agent. Synthesis of Ag-NPs was performed in one step within three minutes utilizing microwave irradiation. The resulting Ag-NPs were characterized using various microscopic and spectroscopic techniques such as, Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM), UV/Visible spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy(FTIR) and Energy Dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX). The prepared Ag-NPs, which act as a fluorescent nano-probe with an emission band at 416 nm after excitation at 331 nm, were used to assay nilvadipine (NLV) spectrofluorimetrically in its pharmaceutical dosage form with good sensitivity and reproducibility. The proposed study is based on the ability of NLV to quantitatively quench the native Ag-NPs fluorescence, forming a ground state complex as a result of static quenching and an inner filter mechanism. The suggested approach displayed a satisfactory linear relationship throughout a concentration range of 5.0 μM - 100.0 μM, with LOD and LOQ values of 1.18 μM and 3.57 μM, respectively. Validation of the suggested approach was examined in accordance with ICH recommendations. In addition, the anti-bacterial and anti-fungal activities of the prepared nanoparticles were investigated, and they demonstrated effective anti-microbial activities and opened a future prospective to combat future antibiotic resistance. Finally, in-vitro cytotoxicity assay of Ag-NPs against normal and cancerous human cell lines was studied using MTT assay. The results proved the potential use of the produced Ag-NPs as an adjunct to anticancer treatment or for drug delivery without significantly harming healthy human cells.

Investigating the Effect of Silver Nanoparticles on the Fluorescence Intensity of Bambuterol and its Active Metabolite Terbutaline Using FRET

Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) were found to significantly quench the fluorescence of bambuterol hydrochloride (BAM) and its active metabolite terbutaline sulfate (TER). The intrinsic fluorescence intensity of each of BAM (at 264/292 nm) and TER (at 276/306 nm) decreased by the gradual addition of AgNPs. Quenching of the steady state fluorescence of BAM and TER probably resulted from the energy transfer to the photo-excited state of AgNPs. The estimated Stern-Volmer quenching constant at several temperature settings proved that the quenching mechanism of the two drugs was dynamic quenching in case of BAM while it was static quenching in case of TER. The number of binding sites, binding constants, and corresponding thermodynamic parameters depending on the interaction system were estimated at 293, 313, and 333 °K and the results obtained were interpreted.

Green quality by design HPLC approach for the simultaneous determination of Bilastine and Montelukast

For the simultaneous estimation of two co-formulated antihistaminic drugs (Bilastine and Montelukast), a novel and eco-friendly reversed-phase HPLC approach with both diode array and fluorescence detection modes was designed. Rather than using the routine methodology, the Quality by Design (QbD) approach was adopted to speed up the method development and to test robustness of the method. To evaluate the effect of variable factors on chromatographic response, a full factorial design was used. The chromatographic separation was performed using isocratic elution on the C18 column. The mobile phase consists of 92% methanol, 6% acetonitrile, and 2% phosphate buffer with 0.1 (v/v) triethylamine adjusted to pH 3, it was pumped at a flow rate of 0.8 mL/min with an injection volume of 20 μL. The developed stability indicating HPLC approach was used to assess the stability of montelukast (MNT). It was subjected to a variety of stress conditions, including hydrolytic (acid-base), oxidative, thermal, and photolytic stress conditions. All of these conditions were found to have relevant degradation pathways. Under the described experimental conditions, MNT degradation followed pseudo-first-order kinetics. The kinetic parameters of its degradation (rate constant and t_1/2) were calculated and a proposal for the degradation pathway was postulated.

Microwave assisted synthesis of fluorescent hetero atom doped carbon dots for determination of betrixaban with greenness evaluation†

A simple, rapid and eco-friendly method for synthesis of nitrogen and sulfur doped carbon dots (N,S-CDs) is described. The method involved one step carbonization assisted by a green microwave irradiation route using available and cheap sources, as sucrose (source for C) and thiourea (source for N and S). The formed aqueous solution of N,S-CDs showed excellent optical and electronic properties with high compatibility and stability. The particles of the prepared dots were spherical with a narrow range of size from 1.7 to 3.7 nm with a quantum yield of 0.20. These dots act as a fluorescent probe, as they showed an intense blue fluorescence at 413 nm after excitation at 330 nm. The N,S-CDs were utilized for determination of the anticoagulant drug, betrixaban maleate (BTM), based on quenching of their fluorescence upon its gradual addition. The quenching process was found to be through an inner filter effect mechanism. The proposed method showed a good linearity over a concentration range of (1.0–100.0 μM) with LOD and LOQ values of 0.33 μM and 0.99 μM, respectively. All validation parameters met the acceptance criteria according to ICH guidelines. The high specificity and sensitivity of the performed method contributed to further assay of BTM in dosage form and spiked human plasma sample with high percent recoveries and low values of RSD. Interference from co-administered drugs was studied. Finally, the greenness of the proposed method was evaluated adopting a ComplexGapi approach, the excellent green profile has supported its applicability in quality control laboratories.

Schematic sketch clarified the stepwise synthesis process of N,S-CDs.

Insights for applying N,S-doped carbon dots as a fluorescent nanoprobe for estimation of some nitro-calcium channel blockers

A facile and simple one-step hydrothermal approach was adopted for fabrication of N and S co-doped carbon quantum dots probe (NSCDs) by using thiosemicarbazide as a dopant and citric acid as a precursor. The prepared NSCDs with a high quantum yield of 0.58 were characterized using UV-visible spectroscopy, IR spectroscopy and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy. The as-obtained NSCDs could be deemed as an effective fluorescent nanosensor for the determination of some anti-hypertensive nitro-calcium channel blockers (Nitro-CCBs) including nicardipine (NIC), nifedipine (NIF) and nimodipine (NIM) whether in pure form or in their pharmaceutical formulations. Measurements of NSCD emission intensity were performed at 416 nm after being excited at 345 nm. Nitro-CCBs could induce quenching in the native fluorescence of NSCDs due to the inner filter effect and static quenching mechanism. The studied compounds were investigated within linear detection range of (10.0-100.0 µM) for NIC, (5.0-60.0 µM) for NIF and (5.0-60.0 µM) for NIM. Correlation coefficients are greater than or equal to 0.9998 and detection limits are ranged between 0.55 and 1.86 µM. The proposed method was extended to estimate the studied compounds in different pharmaceutical samples with high % recoveries ranging from (97.95 to 101.28%) and low % relative standard deviation values (less than 2%). Validation of the developed spectrofluorimetric method was done along with the International Council of Harmonization requirements.

Spectrofluorometric determination of residual amounts of nitroxynil in food samples

Because of the frequent treatment of dairy cows with nitroxynil (NTX), the presence of the later residues in animal tissues and milk has a significant concern. The quantum yield of the reaction product was calculated. A highly sensitive and rapid spectrofluorometric method for determining the anthelmintic drug (NTX) residual amounts is developed. The proposed approach is based on using Zn/HCl to reduce NTX nitro group to an amino group, resulting in a highly fluorescent derivative that was detected at each of λ_em 302 nm and 364 nm after excitation at λ_ex = 277 nm. The experimental conditions were carefully studied and optimized. The proposed approach showed good linearity (r² ≥ 0.9998) with linearity range of 10.0-100.0 ng/mL with a detection limit of 1.89 ng/mL, 1.27 ng/mL and quantification limit of 5.73 ng/mL, 3.86 ng/mL at λ_em 302 nm and 364 nm, respectively; that is far below the Minimum Regulatory Limits (MRLs) of NTX in animal tissues and milk. The proposed approach was successfully applied for the analysis of the drug in its veterinary formulations, and the obtained results agreed well with those of the official British Pharmacopeia method. Moreover, the proposed method's application was extended to efficiently determine the residues of nitroxynil in meat, liver, kidney and milk samples.

Turn-off fluorescence of nitrogen and sulfur carbon quantum dots as effective fluorescent probes for determination of imatinib. Application to biological fluids

Nitrogen and sulfur carbon quantum dots(N,S-CQDs) as effective fluorescent nanoprobes were synthesized through one-step-hydrothermal method using thiosemicarbazide (as nitrogen and sulfur source) and citric acid (as carbon source). The highly fluorescent N,S-CQDs were subjected to various characterization techniques. The fluorescence of the synthesized N,S-CQDs is characterized by maximum fluorescence emission at 415 nm after excitation at 345 nm and a high quantum yield of 0.58. The native N,S-CQDs fluorescence is quantitatively quenched upon addition of imatinib (IMA), so they are used for its spectrofluorimetric determination in its pharmaceutical formulations and biological fluids. Under optimal conditions, N,S-CQDs exhibited a "turn-off" fluorescence response to IMA over the range of 1.0 to 15.0 µg/mL with a limit of quantification of 0.42 µg/mL and a lower detection limit of 0.14 µg/mL. Stern-Volmer equation was used to study the mechanism of quenching and it was found to occur through static quenching mechanism. The method was extended to the in-vitro determination of the drug in spiked human urine and plasma samples and the percent recoveries were satisfactory.

Utilization of N,S-Doped Carbon Dots as a Fluorescent Nanosensor for Determination of Cromolyn Based on Inner Filter Effect; Application to Aqueous Humor

A simple and eco-friendly hydrothermal technique is used to prepare water soluble N and S co-doped carbon quantum dots probe (N,S-CQDs) from thiosemicarbazide and citric acid. Several characterization techniques were performed in order to ensure well- synthesis of highly luminescent N,S-CQDs. The prepared probe exhibited analytical potential as optical nanosensor for the spectrofluorimetric determination of cromolyn sodium (CRO) in its pharmaceutical dosage forms and aqueous humor. The emission intensity of the synthesized N,S-CQDs was measured at 411 nm after excitation at 345 nm. Addition of increasing concentrations of CRO to N,S-CQDs led to quenching of its fluorescence intensity. CRO was investigated within wide concentration range of 10.0 to 150.0 μM with limit of detection of 2.0 μM and limit of quantification of 6.0 μM. The quenching of fluorescent N,S-CQDs occurs through inner filter effect (IFE). The developed spectrofluorimetric method was successfully optimized and validated according to International Council of Harmonization (ICH). Method greenness is proved through using both Eco-scale and AGREE approaches.

Synchronized spectrofluorimetric determination of ponatinib and curcumin as an effective therapeutic combination in laboratory prepared mixtures and human plasma samples

Curcumin is a natural product that is frequently utilized in cancer prevention and treatment. The significant benefit of vegetable-derived nutraceuticals in combination with widespread cytostatic medication such as ponatinib is to reduce toxicity and side effects. In this paper, we focus the study on analytical quantification of ponatinib and curcumin through highly sensitive synchronous spectrofluorometric method. Applying this method at Δλ = 160 nm, each of ponatinib and curcumin could be measured at 303 and 412 nm without interference from each others. The diverse experimental factors impacting the performance of the method were studied and optimized. The method exhibited a reasonable linearity in the ranges of 5.0-60.0 and 10.0-200.0 ng/mL for ponatinib and curcumin, respectively with detection limits of 1.48 and 1.22 ng/mL and quantitation limits of 4.49 and 3.68 ng/mL, respectively. The anticipated method was employed for the assessment and evaluation of the studied drugs in the spiked human plasma samples. The mean % recoveries in plasma samples (n = 6) for each of ponatinib and curcumin were 99.84 ± 1.86 and 100.06 ± 2.72, accordingly. The developed method was validated in conformity with the requirements of International Council of Harmonization (ICH).

Eco-friendly fluorimetric approaches for the simultaneous estimation of the co-administered ternary mixture: etoposide, moxifloxacin and nalbuphine

Antineoplastic drugs, etoposide (ETO), are widely used in leukaemia. A patient with leukaemia has a relative infection with pneumonia treated by fluoroquinolones as moxifloxacin HCL (MOX). Because opioid analgesic as nalbuphine HCL (NAL) does not have a ceiling dose, it is used to manage the distasteful sensory in leukaemia. Consequently, green methods for synchronous spectrofluorimetric quantification of a ternary mixture of ETO, MOX and NAL were developed. The first approach relies simply on the estimation of MOX at 371 nm by conventional synchronous fluorimetric technique (Δλ of 60 nm). The second approach depends on applying the first derivative synchronous fluorimetric technique (Δλ of 60 nm) for simultaneous estimation of ETO and NAL at 257 and 273 nm, respectively. A good linear correlation was obtained in the ranges of 0.04-0.40, 0.10-1.00 and 0.50-5.00 µg ml-1 for MOX, ETO and NAL, respectively. Moreover, the proposed approaches were successfully applied for the estimation of the studied drugs in the pharmaceutical dosage forms. Additionally, the synchronous assessment of ETO, MOX and NAL in the spiked human urine was successfully attained by the facile protein precipitation technique. The mean % recoveries in spiked human urine were 99.49, 98.07 and 98.48 for MOX, ETO and NAL, respectively.

Multi-spectroscopic and molecular docking studies for binding interaction between fluvoxamine and human serum albumin

In the present study, different spectroscopic techniques have been used to study the binding interaction between the antidepressant drug fluvoxamine and human serum albumin under simulated physiological conditions (pH 7.4). The utilized spectroscopic techniques include fluorescence emission spectroscopy, synchronous fluorescence spectroscopy, UV-Vis absorption spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), and molecular modeling methods. The obtained results revealed that the formation of a complex between human serum albumin and fluvoxamine was responsible for quenching the native fluorescence of human serum albumin. The results indicated that the quenching mechanism between human serum albumin and fluvoxamine was static. Besides, the binding constant (K), number of binding sites (n), thermodynamic parameters (ΔH, ΔS, and ΔG), and binding forces were calculated at three different temperatures (298, 310, and 318 K). These data proposed that hydrophobic forces were the principal intermolecular forces stabilizing the complex. From the molecular docking results, it could be deduced that fluvoxamine was inserted into sub-domain II A (site I) of human serum albumin and led to a slight change in human serum albumin conformation.

Pharmacokinetic interaction between atorvastatin and fixed-dose combination of sofosbuvir/ledipasvir in healthy male Egyptian volunteers

PURPOSE

Comorbid conditions of heart and liver disorders added to HCV-induced hepatic steatosis make co-administration of statins, and direct-acting antivirals is common in clinical practice. This study aimed to evaluate the pharmacokinetic interaction of atorvastatin and fixed-dose combination of sofosbuvir/ledipasvir "FDCSL" with rationalization to the underlying mechanism.

METHODS

A randomized, three-phase crossover study that involves 12 healthy volunteers was performed. Participants received a single-dose of atorvastatin 80 mg alone, atorvastatin 80-mg plus tablets containing 400/90 mg FDCSL, or tablets containing 400/90 mg FDCSL alone. Plasma samples were analyzed using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) for atorvastatin, sofosbuvir, ledipasvir, and sofosbuvir metabolite "GS-331007," and their pharmacokinetics parameters were determined.

RESULTS

Compared to atorvastatin alone, the administration of FDCSL caused a significant increase in both areas under the concentration-time curve from time zero to infinity (AUC_0-∞) and maximum plasma concentration (C_max) of atorvastatin by 65.5% and 156.0%, respectively. Also, atorvastatin caused a significant increase in the AUC_0-∞ and C_max of sofosbuvir by 32.0% and 11.0%, respectively. Similarly, AUC_0-∞ and C_max of sofosbuvir metabolite significantly increased by 84.0% and 74.0%, respectively. However, ledipasvir AUC_0-∞ showed no significant change after atorvastatin intake. The elimination rate in all drugs revealed no significant changes.

CONCLUSION

After concurrent administration of FDCSL with atorvastatin, the AUC_0-∞ of both atorvastatin and sofosbuvir were increased. Caution should be taken with close monitoring for possible side effects after co-administration of atorvastatin and FDCSL in clinical practice.

Effect of low-energy shock wave therapy on intravesical epirubicin delivery in a rat model of bladder cancer

OBJECTIVES

To study the efficacy of low-energy shock wave therapy (LESW) on enhancing intravesical epirubicin (EPI) delivery in a rat model of bladder cancer (BCa).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A total of 100 female Fischer rats were randomly allocated into five groups: control; BCa; LESW; EPI; and EPI plus LESW. After BCa induction by N-butyl-N-(4-hydroxybutyl)nitrosamine, EPI (0.6 mg/0.3 mL of EPI diluted in 0.3 mL saline) or saline (0.6 mL) was administered and retained in the bladders for 1 h with or without LESW treatment (300 pulses at 0.12 mJ/mm² ). This was repeated weekly for 6 weeks. Survival was then calculated, rats were weighed and their bladders were harvested for bladder/body ratio estimation, histopathological examination, p₅₃ immunostaining, miR-210, hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF)-1α, tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α and interleukin (IL)-6 relative gene expression and fluorescence spectrophotometric drug quantification. Heart and blood samples were also collected for assessment of the safety profile and toxicity.

RESULTS

The EPI plus LESW group had significantly lower mortality rates, loss of body weight and bladder/body ratio. Histopathological results in terms of grossly visible bladder lesions, mucosal thickness, dysplasia formation and tumour invasion were significantly better in the combined treatment group. The EPI plus LESW group also had statistically significant lower expression levels of p₅₃ , miR-210, HIF-1α, TNF-α and IL-6. LESW increased urothelial concentration of EPI by 5.7-fold (P < 0.001). No laboratory variable exceeded the reference ranges in any of the groups. There was an improvement of the indicators of EPI-induced cardiomyopathy in terms of congestion, hyalinization and microvesicular steatosis of cardiomyocytes (P = 0.068, 0.003 and 0.046, respectively) in the EPI plus LESW group.

CONCLUSIONS

The combined use of intravesical EPI and LESW results in less BCa invasion and less dysplasia formation, as LESW increases urothelial permeability of EPI and enhances its delivery into tumour tissues, without subsequent toxicity.

Conventional and first derivative synchronous spectrofluorimetric methods for the simultaneous determination of cisatracurium and nalbuphine in biological fluids

Cisatracurium besylate has been determined by fast and highly sensitive spectrofluorimetric method based on measuring the fluorescence intensity of its methanolic solution at 312 nm after excitation at 230 nm (Method I). The linearity occurred over the concentration range of 10.0-130.0 ng/mL with detection limit of 1.07 ng/mL. The method was further extended for the determination of the studied drug in spiked human plasma with good percentage recoveries (97.43-103.50%). Cisatracurium is co-administered with nalbuphine during surgery. The simultaneous determination of both drugs was based on synchronous spectrofluorimetric technique. First derivative synchronous spectrofluorimetric amplitude was measured in methanol at Δ λ = 60 nm and each drug could be estimated at the zero crossing point of the other. Hence, cisatracurium could be measured at 284.6 nm while nalbuphine at 276.3 nm (Method II). The method was linear over the ranges of 50.0-750.0 ng/mL and 0.5-7.0 μg/mL with the detection limits of 2.16 ng/mL and 0.04 μg/mL for cisatracurium and nalbuphine, respectively. The method was further extended for the simultaneous determination of both drugs in spiked human urine with mean percentage recoveries of 99.99 ± 2.06 and 99.53 ± 6.17 for cisatracurium and nalbuphine, respectively. Both methods were validated in agreement with Guidelines adopted by International Council of Harmonization (ICH).

First derivative synchronous spectrofluorimetric method for the simultaneous determination of propofol and cisatracurium besylate in biological fluids

Propofol and cisatracurium besylate have been simultaneously determined using a highly sensitive first derivative synchronous spectrofluorometric method. The method is based on measuring first derivative synchronous spectrofluorimetric amplitude at Δλ = 40 nm with a scanning rate of 600 nm/min. The different experimental parameters affecting the fluorescence intensity of the two drugs were carefully studied and optimized. The amplitude-concentration plots were rectilinear over the range 40.0-400.0 ng/mL and 20.0-280.0 ng/mL for propofol and cisatracurium, respectively with lower detection limits of 4.0 and 2.35 ng/mL and quantification limits of 12.1 and 7.1 ng/mL for propofol and cisatracurium, respectively. The proposed method was successfully applied for the determination of the two compounds in synthetic mixtures and in commercial ampoules. The high sensitivity attained using the proposed method allowed the simultaneous determination of both drugs in spiked plasma samples. The mean % recoveries in spiked human plasma (n = 3) were 96.53 ± 0.90 and 96.20 ± 1.64 for each of propofol and cisatracurium, respectively. The method was validated in compliance with International Council of Harmonization (ICH) Guidelines.

Simultaneous HPLC Determination of Cisatracurium and Propofol in Human Plasma via Fluorometric Detection

The proposed method describes a high performance liquid chromatographic method with fluoremetric detection for the determination of cisatracurium (CIS) and propofol (PRP) simultaneously, which are co-administered as a pre-operative injection mixture. The separation of the two drugs was achieved using monolithic column (100 mm and 4.6 mm internal diameter) and mixture of methanol and 0.1 M phosphate buffer in the ratio of 80:20 (v/v) at pH 4.5 as a mobile phase. The fluorescence detection was carried out at 230/324 nm. The procedure showed good linearity through the concentration ranges of 0.01-1.00 μg/mL and 0.1-3.0 μg/mL with limits of detection of 0.002, 0.030 μg/mL and limits of quantification of 0.006, 0.100 μg/mL for CIS and PRP, respectively. Simultaneous determination of CIS and PRP in spiked human plasma samples was additionally executed and the results were satisfactory precise and accurate.

New spectrophotometric/chemometric assisted methods for the simultaneous determination of imatinib, gemifloxacin, nalbuphine and naproxen in pharmaceutical formulations and human urine

In this paper, novel univariate and multivariate regression methods along with model-updating technique were developed and validated for the simultaneous determination of quaternary mixture of imatinib (IMB), gemifloxacin (GMI), nalbuphine (NLP) and naproxen (NAP). The univariate method is extended derivative ratio (EDR) which depends on measuring every drug in the quaternary mixture by using a ternary mixture of the other three drugs as divisor. Peak amplitudes were measured at 294nm, 250nm, 283nm and 239nm within linear concentration ranges of 4.0-17.0, 3.0-15.0, 4.0-80.0 and 1.0-6.0μgmL^-1 for IMB, GMI, NLP and NAB, respectively. Multivariate methods adopted are partial least squares (PLS) in original and derivative mode. These models were constructed for simultaneous determination of the studied drugs in the ranges of 4.0-8.0, 3.0-11.0, 10.0-18.0 and 1.0-3.0μgmL^-1 for IMB, GMI, NLP and NAB, respectively, by using eighteen mixtures as a calibration set and seven mixtures as a validation set. The root mean square error of predication (RMSEP) were 0.09 and 0.06 for IMB, 0.14 and 0.13 for GMI, 0.07 and 0.02 for NLP and 0.64 and 0.27 for NAP by PLS in original and derivative mode, respectively. Both models were successfully applied for analysis of IMB, GMI, NLP and NAP in their dosage forms. Updated PLS in derivative mode and EDR were applied for determination of the studied drugs in spiked human urine. The obtained results were statistically compared with those obtained by the reported methods giving a conclusion that there is no significant difference regarding accuracy and precision.

Simultaneous Determination of Cromolyn Sodium Combined Dosage Forms Using Isocratic HPLC Method

A simple and selective reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography method was developed for the estimation of cromolyn sodium (CRM) with either oxymetazoline hydrochloride (OMZ) or xylometazoline hydrochloride (XMZ) in their binary mixtures. The method is based on the simultaneous separation of each drug in a reversed-phase Waters symmetry^® C18 column (250 mm × 4.6 mm intradermally, 5-µm particle size) at 25°C. Elution was performed with a mobile phase consisting of methanol : 0.1 M phosphate buffer (60:40, v/v, pH 4.0). Quantitation was achieved with ultraviolet detection at 220 nm. The method could determine the three drugs, with linearity, in the range of 2.0-100.0 µg/mL for CRM and 0.8-8.0 µg/mL for OMZ and for XMZ. Aspirin was used as internal standard. Optimization of the separation in terms of mobile phase composition is critical to the method development, which is discussed in detail. The suggested procedure was successfully applied to the analysis of the studied drugs in their nasal preparations. Statistical evaluation of the data obtained by the proposed and comparison methods revealed good accuracy of the proposed method.